Enhanced southwest monsoon rains and widespread flooding caused the suspension of classes and some local government work in the National Capital Region (NCR) and in the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, and Rizal on Thursday, Aug. 31.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed the NCR under an Orange rainfall warning while the provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, and Cavite were placed under the Yellow rainfall warning at 5:44 a.m. on Thursday.
The cities that announced class cancellations in all levels in public and private schools in the NCR were Manila, Marikina, Navotas, Malabon, Pasay, Pasig, Caloocan, Quezon, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, San Juan, Taguig, and the municipality of Pateros.
Only classes from Kindergarten to Grade 12 levels were cancelled in the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong.
The provincial government of Rizal also suspended classes in all levels, both in public and private schools, across the province.
With the exception of emergency response offices, the national government, through Memorandum Circular No. 29, has suspended all work in government offices in NCR from 3 p.m. onwards, following the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) suspended work in all offices in NCR, the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023, which began on Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, was also suspended.
Flooding
Various low-lying areas in the region were submerged in flood water, leading to the immediate deployment of transport trucks for stranded commuters.
From 6 a.m., gutter-deep and half-tire deep floods were reported in the vicinity of Taft Avenue and España Boulevard in Manila, including the roads from the Pedro Gil to Quirino Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1, Finance Road, Abad Santos, and Dapitan among others.
According to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), as of 1 p.m. half-tire deep flood remained along Tayuman Street, Abad Santos, while gutter-deep floods lingered at Pedro Gil to Quirino Avenue, España Boulevard Antipolo, and Kalaw Roxas Boulevard. Below gutter deep floods were at España to Lacson Intersection and to corner dela Fuente; and Moriones corner N. Zamora.
The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMOs)'s Libreng Sakay offered two available transport routes – España to Buendia (loop) and Quiapo to España (loop) – to commuters.
In Quezon City, several streets saw gutter-deep to waist-deep floods as early as 7:45 a.m., prompting around 30 families to evacuate to the Bagong Silang Isolation Building, according to the local government.
Residents living in N.S. Amoranto Street (corners Ubay, Palai, Tabayoc, and Don Jose to Sct. Alcaraz) in Barangay Siena; Talipapa, Ma. Clara, and Don Jose alleys; Tirad Pass to Don Pepe, and streets within Barangay Sto. Domingo suffered waist-deep to chest-deep floods.
Retiro St. corner Biak na Bato, and Biak na Bato corners Don Manuel and Samat had gutter deep floods.
Floods at G. Araneta, E. Rodriguez Araneta, D. Tuazon, Quezon Avenue; and Araneta, Maria Clara have subsided since 12 p.m., said the MMDA.
As of 12:30 p.m. half-knee to knee deep floods were reported in portions of the McArthur Highway and G. Lazaro in Barangay Dalandanan; MH Del Pilar Street in Barangay Arkong Bato; Veinte Reales and Rincon Road in Valenzuela City, as per the Command, Control, and Communication Center (VCCCC) and MMDA.
Water overflowed to the roads beside the banks of the Marikina River around the time the Marikina Command Center sounded the first alarm when the water level rose to 15 meters at 5:35 a.m.
It was at 15.8 meters as of 1:30 p.m. as rains poured in the city and in the upper areas of Rizal.
Some cars were seen submerged in Marikina River. The city government advised all owners of vehicles in the river park area to transfer their cars to elevated areas.
In Rizal Province, a segment of Sumulong Highway (Broadway Pines) was impassable to vehicles due to flooding. However, Soliven Avenue remained passable.
Below gutter and gutter deep flooding was also seen at the Maypajo - Manila Boundary and 10th Avenue corner A. De Jesus in Caloocan City.
Minor flooding was reported in the area surrounding the Pasig Mega Market, but soon subsided.
Gutter deep flooding at Andrew Avenue to Tramo in Pasay City also subsided by 1 p.m.
No major flooding was reported in Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Muntinlupa, Pateros, Taguig,
Roving operations were conducted by the cities' DRRMOs, in cooperation with their respective police stations to further monitor and identify flooded streets and roads.
The Camanava and Quezon City LGUs asked citizens to coordinate with their barangays and DRRMOs, contact emergency hotlines, and stay alert for announcements on their social media pages.
To ensure their safety amid the inclement weather, the Marikina LGU also advised residents to stay in their homes or minimize public travel.
Traffic
Traffic crawled at a snail pace in Manila roads due to the floods that have not yet subsided since early morning. Small or light vehicles have been advised to avoid the areas around Taft Avenue.
Roads near Adamson University and University of Sto. Tomas (UST) were impassable from 9:50 a.m. By 1 p.m. Maceda Street to UST was passable to vehicles.
To decongest traffic, a counterflow scheme was implemented on the southbound lane of España Boulevard from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Floods also slowed down traffic along G. Araneta Avenue and Maria Clara Street in Quezon City, and the skyway southbound area.
The Pasig Ferry Service was also suspended.
Light to moderate traffic was reported by the Muntinlupa City government as of 9:10 a.m. for both northbound and southbound roads, particularly the Concepcion East Service Road, Liberty East Service Road, Alabang Viaduct, Ayala Mall, Poblacion, and SM Tunasan. (With reports from the Metro News team)